- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to assess the effect of proposed legislation, prior to implementation, on the ability of small businesses to comply in terms of both cost and technical implications.
Answer
The Scottish Executive requires that a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is completed before introducing any legislation which will have a significant impact upon business. This document, which must be included in any consultation, addresses the cost to business both in terms of compliance costs and any other costs incurred. The Executive recognises that regulatory burdens can have a disproportionate effect on small businesses. Consequently, the RIA as with all Executive policy begins from the "think small first" position and includes the "small business litmus test" to ensure the particular interests of small businesses are to the fore when developing policy.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to undertake a review of legislation as it affects small businesses to assess its impact.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has committed itself to tackling any unnecessary legislative burden on business. The Improving Regulation in Scotland (IRIS) unit has organised a number of events around Scotland where the business community has the opportunity to raise its regulatory concerns direct with the Executive. This is just one stage in what is a continuing dialogue between the Executive and business. In particular, small businesses and their needs are at the core of all discussions and the Executive will consider any action required in the light of this dialogue.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact that the establishment of a "fast track" UK patent system for small businesses could have on small businesses in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including the UK patent system. The existing UK patent system already provides for accelerated processing leading to the grant of a patent in as little as 10 months. This service is available for any applicant who requests it and is not limited or focused on SMEs.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to undertake a rolling review of existing legislation in order to ensure that any which is no longer relevant is revoked or amended and what representations it is making to Her Majesty's Government and the European Parliament to do likewise.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is committed to reducing the burden on businesses caused by unnecessary legislation. The Improving Regulation in Scotland unit has a continuing dialogue with businesses and pursues any regulatory concerns they raise.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a legal obligation on local authorities to assess the impact on business of transport proposals and decisions.
Answer
The Executive's guidance on Local Transport Strategies encourages local authorities to consult fully with business interests; furthermore in bringing forward guidance under the terms of the Transport Bill the Executive will, where appropriate, require local authorities to consult with the business sector.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to stimulate increased employment and wealth creation in the small business sector.
Answer
I refer Mr Kenneth Gibson to the answer I gave to question S1W-7739 on 22 June.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assist existing and new small businesses to expand and take on new employees.
Answer
I refer Mr Kenneth Gibson to the answer I gave to question S1W-7739 on 22 June.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive why it will not introduce water and sewerage rebates for people on low incomes.
Answer
The current arrangements linking water and sewerage charges to council tax bands already provide substantial assistance to many low income households.
Water and sewerage charges are part of normal household costs, the Executive however is looking at ways of improving on the protection provided by the current charging arrangements.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase support to community pharmacists providing services to drug misusers, including security measures such as installation of panic buttons, CCTV and prominent alarm boxes.
Answer
NHS community pharmacy services to drug misusers - the dispensing of methadone and needle exchange - are subject to local contracting between community pharmacy contractors and their Primary Care Trust/Island Health Board. Issues of safety and security are primarily matters for the contractors concerned.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 05 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 21 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-3566 by Susan Deacon on 17 February 2000, whether its plans to examine measures for better enforcement of the law to tackle those who make illegal sales to young people include liaison with the Ministerial Group set up within the Department of Trade and Industry to examine issues including how to make enforcement of consumer protection more effective, especially in relation to the group's work on simplifying legislation on age limits.
Answer
My participation in the Ministerial Group on Consumer Affairs will ensure that the Executive's views on a number of consumer matters, including the issue of age-related sales, will be clear to the Department of Trade and Industry and other government departments.
